Snow expected to continue through evening hours

Snow began falling throughout Friday afternoon covering roadways and complicating the evening commute for Chester County motorists.

According to Gene Blaum, spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the department’s snow crew began operations on Thursday by spraying a brine solution on major highways and major traffic routes throughout the region, including Chester County.

“With the temps being in the low 20s and high teens tonight it’s imperative that we get the salt down,” said Blaum.

According to West Chester Borough Manager Ernie McNeely, road crews have already been out on the streets since Friday, and Thursday night, spraying a brine solution on the roads.

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“Our crews are ready to salt and plow as necessary,” said McNeely. “I think with the small amount of snow being predicted, the only advisory needed is to drive carefully and use good sense. That’s the best advice for a modest snowstorm.”

Blaum also said that the department will have a total of 360 salt and plow trucks, with 91 in Chester County, throughout the storm. However, even with thorough salting of roads, drivers are still advised to travel at cautious speeds during any inclement weather.

“There will be enough snow down that drivers should decrease their normal driving speed and increase the amount of distance between themselves and other drivers,” said Blaum.

According to Blaum, if any commuters or residents find a non-emergency problem on the roads, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s maintenance phone number is 484-340-3200, or 1-800-XROAD.

Another phone line to call is 511, go to 511pa.com, for travel advisories, highway cameras, and what traffic conditions may be like.

The National Weather Service issued a Winter Weather Advisory in effect from 4 p.m. through 1 a.m. Saturday.

Snowfall is expected to be an inch or two, perhaps higher in the Oxford area and along extreme western edges of Chester County north to Honey Brook.

The sun is expected to return Saturday, but the nasty cold will stick around all weekend before temperatures start to moderate on Monday.